Police commission accepts $9.38 million donation to expand real‑time investigation center and drone program

The San Francisco Police Commission voted 6–0 on June 4 to accept roughly $9.38 million in gifts and in‑kind support to expand the city's Real‑Time Investigation Center (RTIC) and a drone‑as‑first‑responder program.

The package includes about $7.3 million in monetary gifts from the San Francisco Police Community Foundation and an in‑kind lease for office space Ripple Labs valued at about $2.1 million, city officials said. Kimmy Woo, chief financial officer for the San Francisco Police Department, introduced the ordinance to the commission.

Why it matters: The donation funds a larger RTIC meant to centralize real‑time information and to expand the department’s drone program from two launch locations to 12 docks across the city. Department leaders said the project will add hardware and software, install new fiber and connectivity, and support training for pilots — with the department retaining control of footage and data under existing policy frameworks.

Details and next steps - Amount and donors: The CFO described the package as $7.3 million in foundation gifts plus a retroactive in‑kind lease from Ripple Labs valued at approximately $2.1 million for office space. The commission's approval sends the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for the required city approvals for donations over $10,000. - Drone expansion: Captain Steve Jonas told the commission the department already has 58 trained drone pilots and plans to expand from two operational sites to about 12 docking locations citywide. The RTIC will centralize pilots while docks and launch pads will be distributed; some docks will be located at fire stations and with private partners. - Equipment and timeline: The donation covers 12 drone docks, multiple drone types and associated software, plus network and installation costs. Officials estimated technical upgrades and policy work could take months; department staff said they hope to have the center and expanded DFR operational by late fall or by the end of the year, depending on approvals and infrastructure work. - Ownership, retention, and policy: City staff said SFPD will control the equipment and footage. The department noted a 30‑day retention default for non‑criminal matters and said footage and access will be governed by SFPD policy; a broader general order on drones and RTIC operations will be brought to the commission for review as the program scales.

Questions and concerns raised Commissioners asked where docking locations would be sited, how parking and leases would be handled for each dock, and how ongoing costs, upgrades and training would be funded after the initial donation. City staff said many docking locations will involve nominal agreements (for example, modest charges from partner agencies) and that the mayor’s office and city administrator are working on longer‑term real estate and funding options. Staff also said the board of supervisors must vote to finalize acceptance of the gifts.

Vote and formal action The commission approved the ordinance to accept and expend the donation by recorded vote, 6–0. The matter will proceed to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Provenance: The RTIC and drone donation were introduced by Kimmy Woo, SFPD chief financial officer, and discussed with Lieutenant Ryan and Captain Steve Jonas beginning at the commission meeting segment where the item was presented; the vote was recorded later in the meeting.